Get ready to lift your heaviest
Maximum Strength Phase Begins Mon. May 25
Four weeks of Endurance (Month 2 of our 3-phase curriculum) can feel like it goes on and on…. and then suddenly, poof! That phase is behind us and we get to enjoy a new type of challenge.
About Maximum Strength
This phase runs for 5 weeks with the goal of lifting your heaviest where you have
- participated in Month 1 and have learned the technique
- participated in Month 2 and have practiced maintaining your form under the stress of high repetitions
Expect that for your first class in this new phase to be busy busy – changing plates and swapping out your dumbbells as you look to finding the appropriate challenge for the reduced repetitions allocated to each set.
Should you like to use Recess’s lifting straps for your sumo deadlift, take a moment to learn how to wrap them in this how-to video below.
Newsletter Sections
Hot Staycation Summer
Sharing our (personal) plans for the season.
Adrian and I usually try to take a trip every summer, but we’ve decided staying in the city is the right thing for us this year.
We were sitting in our backyard this past long-weekend and started to brainstorm ways to make new memories by doing activities in and around the city.
Among these activities we’ve got:
- Date night at a new-to-us restaurant
- Gathering with friends we haven’t seen in a while
- Have an indulgent BBQ
- Go out on the water
- Take a class or workshop
Another one on the list is to Go See A Movie. And since it’s been a long time since Polson Pier had a drive-in movie theatre, I thought… why don’t we enjoy an outdoor film in Christie Pits (hurrah, even closer to home!) hosted by the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS).
So, what do you say? Would you join us at the festival’s opening night where they’ll show Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie?
All the details will be found here – we’d love to pass the time squatting on prime seats in good company.
Friday June 26 – Christie Pits Park
Grab seats starting at 6PM | show starts at sunset
The Q3 Curriculum Will be 'Basic'
‘Basic Barbell Summer’ is coming to a squat rack near you.
Your Get Stronger instructors will be assembling all through June to draft the Q3 Curriculum. This curriculum takes place over the summer when there are a lot of vacations, and consistency can be a real challenge. (It’s OK, it’s important that you have fun and enjoy your strength out in the world!!!)
Thoughtfully, Adrian landed on a summer theme: Basic Barbell Summer. Meaning, a focus on many foundational barbell movements. Many have seen them before with us, and if they’re new to you they’ll become staples in your strength training skillset. Exercises such as:
- Barbell Deadlift
- Barbell Back Squat
- Barbell Chest Press
- Barbell Bent Over Row
- Barbell Overhead Press
Meet our newest instructor
Oliver (he/him) has joined the team!
Oliver comes to us with an extensive knowledge of fitness. He started strength training at the age of 13, and shortly thereafter discovered the sport of powerlifting. which led him to his passion for fitness and personal training. Oliver derives great satisfaction from working with clients and creating plans that suit their individual needs and goals. He believes physical strength enables a life of adventure and lays the groundwork for personal growth: a healthy mind in a healthy body doing things you love.
He plays electric bass and loves film, videography, experimental painting and rock climbing in his spare time. He is also a competent carpenter, plumber and welder- skills he learned both at George Brown and keeping his 126 year old cottage up and running. His dog Charlie (aka Charmander) hasn’t taken up lifting yet but she’s a big fan and has been his go-to spotter for years.
Oliver’s completing his instructor training with us and will be officially taking over the following classes:
- Tuesdays 6PM Get Stronger A
- Wednesdays 6PM & 7PM Get Stronger B
- Friday 6PM Get Stronger C
We’re excited to have him join the team!!!
Last Call for Survey Responses
In case you missed it, we distributed a link to a survey on May 11 seeking your input on expanding class times, as well as seeing what interest there is in Recess merchandise.
Sure does seem like a lot of you would like a Friday at noon class – we see you!!!
So far we’ve got 80 glorious responses! Huzzah! If you haven’t completed it yet, please go to the link in the email from info@recessfitclub.com from May 11 (check your spam) and provide your submission before the survey closes end of day May 22.
How to find out where you are on a class waitlist
A great question came in from Patti this week:
“Can I see the class waitlist position before I join?”
Short answer: not quite.
In our new booking system, you are only able to see your position after you add yourself to the waitlist (but not before). Find out where you are in the queue with the following instructions.
From the Browser
- Log in to any widget
- Select the navigation menu
- Select My Schedule to view position on the waitlist
From the App
- Log in to the Walla App
- From the Home tab look for a section labeled Your Upcoming Visits
- Waitlist positions for each class are indicated here
Other waitlist pro tips:
Our waitlists tend to move more than you might expect.
That’s because of our flexible cancellation windows:
- 7 a.m. classes: cancel by 9 p.m. the night before
- All other classes: cancel up to 3 hours ahead
So while a class might look full at first glance, spots often open up as plans shift. It’s worthwhile adding yourself to the waitlist especially if the class is a few days out.
Meet Nicole
I’m also excited to introduce you to Nicole, who is teaching Tuesday 7 p.m. Pilates.
Nicole is super warm and approachable, and ready to welcome you to the dimmed lighting of our back room for some simultaneously challenging and stress-reducing movement.
Share Your Thoughts: 2026 Get Stronger Planning
Next week we’re finalizing the first new curriculum for 2026 (Q1) Get Stronger, and we’d love to hear from you.
Now that we’re deep into Maximum Strength Month, let your instructor know:
Which exercises you enjoyed
Anything that surprised you
Movements you connected with
Patterns or techniques you’d like to keep seeing
Your feedback genuinely shapes the next phase.
Get Protected from the Flu and COVID
As posted on the Toronto Public Health website: “Flu and COVID-19 vaccines … will be available for everyone … starting October 27, 2025.”
We’ve pre-booked ours at the pharmacy in the Loblaws (Dupont & Christie), and in past years we’ve had great luck with walk-in flu shots at Bloor Park Pharmacy (by the Baskin Robbins at Bloor & Christie).
It’s a priority to do what we can to avoid getting others’ sick. So, if you’re feeling unwell or have any sudden symptoms, please don’t come to class. To dissuade you, we’ll gladly refund your credit if it’s too late to cancel without penalty. Staying home when sick helps protect everyone.
Other reminders:
- You’re always welcome to wear a mask.
- We’ve got 2x commercial HEPA air purifiers running 24/7 at the gym.
Podcast Suggestion
Learn more about what seasonal illnesses may be ahead this winter with CBC’s The Dose' podcase episode titled: "How can we protect ourselves from fall and winter respiratory viruses?" Click to listen.
Improving Access to Classes
We know some of you have been finding it difficult to get into classes at popular times, and we want to acknowledge that challenge. To better enable our current members (and your routines), we’ve temporarily closed Recess to new folks.
If you’ve had trouble getting into a class, we apologize and will do what we can to make sure we can continue offering the classes you love. The aforementioned hip replacement does personally limit us (read: me, Millie) from adding more classes to the schedule for now, as much as I’d like to.
That said, we really encourage you to:
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Add yourself to the waitlist — spots open more often than you might think.
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Cancel even inside the three-hour window if you can’t attend; it may still help someone else jump in last-minute.
Thank you for helping keep registration flexible and accessible for everyone. And thanks for sticking with us. <3
Do you have the app?
Well, that brings us to the end of this newsletter!
Share your thoughts, questions, feedback or whatever else is on your mind by sending us an email or text to:
